BALLARI: A shut-down of Kudligi town, called by various organisations to press for district in-charge minister P.T. Parameshwar Naik’s resignation for shunting deputy superintendent of police Anupama Shenoy out, was total and peaceful on Saturday.
All educational institutions and business establishments remained closed even as more than 500 people took part in a protest march against the minister and burnt his effigy.
Leaders of various organizations urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to drop Mr Naik from the ministry and withdrawal of the transfer order issued to the woman police officer.
Leaders of CPI, Kannada Rakshana Vedike, sports clubs and other organizations urged the government to order a probe into illegal sand business in the district by CBI.
The transfer of this officer for reportedly putting the minister’s call on hold has snowballed into a major controversy with leaders of Opposition demanding Mr Naik’s resignation.
The chorus for his exit intensified after a video clip of the minister bragging about how he got the government to shift the woman police officer out of Kudligi went viral.
